The Ransomware Holiday Bind: Burnout or Be Vulnerable TechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and InformaTechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities.Dark Reading Resource LibraryBlack Hat NewsOmdia CybersecurityAdvertiseNewsletter Sign-UpNewsletter Sign-UpCybersecurity TopicsRelated TopicsApplication SecurityCybersecurity CareersCloud SecurityCyber RiskCyberattacks & Data BreachesCybersecurity AnalyticsCybersecurity OperationsData PrivacyEndpoint SecurityICS/OT SecurityIdentity & Access Mgmt SecurityInsider ThreatsIoTMobile SecurityPerimeterPhysical SecurityRemote WorkforceThreat IntelligenceVulnerabilities & ThreatsRecent in Cybersecurity TopicsApplication SecurityDPRK's 'Contagious Interview' Spawns Malicious Npm Package FactoryDPRK's 'Contagious Interview' Spawns Malicious Npm Package FactorybyElizabeth Montalbano, Contributing WriterDec 2, 20255 Min ReadApplication SecurityPrompt Injections Loom Large Over ChatGPT's Atlas BrowserPrompt Injections Loom Large Over ChatGPT's Atlas BrowserbyAlexander CulafiNov 26, 20256 Min ReadWorld Related TopicsDR GlobalMiddle East & AfricaAsia PacificRecent in World See AllApplication SecurityLINE Messaging Bugs Open Asian Users to Cyber EspionageLINE Messaging Bugs Open Asian Users to Cyber EspionagebyTara SealsNov 21, 20257 Min ReadEndpoint SecurityChina's 'PlushDaemon' Hackers Infect Routers to Hijack Software UpdatesChina's 'PlushDaemon' Hackers Infect Routers to Hijack Software UpdatesbyNate Nelson, Contributing WriterNov 20, 20253 Min ReadThe EdgeDR TechnologyEventsRelated TopicsUpcoming EventsPodcastsWebinarsSEE ALLResourcesRelated TopicsResource LibraryNewslettersPodcastsReportsVideosWebinarsWhite Papers Partner PerspectivesDark Reading Resource LibraryCyberattacks & Data BreachesCybersecurity In-Depth: Feature articles on security strategy, latest trends, and people to know.The Ransomware Holiday Bind: Burnout or Be VulnerableRansomware groups target enterprises during off-hours, weekends, and holidays when security teams are stretched thin and response times lag.Arielle Waldman, Features Writer, Dark ReadingDecember 3, 20255 Min ReadSource: Jerome via Alamy Stock PhotoThere's never a good time to get hit by ransomware, but fallout can be even more devastating when attacks hit during off-hours, weekends or holidays. That's the time when threat actors strike, knowing enterprises are understaffed.Ransomware gangs are a steady, rising threat that reports show operate as legitimate businesses, complete with customer service and help desk personnel. That reflects in well-thought out attack steps, including timing which commonly correlates with organizations' weekend and holiday downtime, an important tool against staffer burnout.Fifty-two percent of ransomware attacks reported within the past 12 months occurred on a weekend or holiday, according to a recent Semperis report that analyzed responses from 10 countries and eight industry sectors. The attacks coincided with Security Operations Center (SOC) staffing challenges as employees took time off to avoid burnout. During that time, 78% of surveyed respondents said they cut SOC teams by 50% or more. Additionally, six percent confirmed they did "not staff their SOC at all outside of the regular workweek." Concerns are not new. Cybereason documented the ongoing problems in a 2022 report that found that "organizations remain unprepared to handle a ransomware attack on a holiday or weekend" resulting in longer response times and higher financial losses. Eighty eight percent of cybersecurity professionals polled reported they missed holiday and weekend celebrations due to a ransomware attack.Related:AI Bolsters Python Variant of Brazilian WhatsApp AttacksWhile Google hasn't observed an increase in ransomware risks during the holidays, its investigations have revealed that it is "plausible that ransomware actors intentionally conduct operations during non-working periods", explains Zach Riddle, principal analyst for Google's Threat Intelligence Group.More than 70% of encryption events in cases handled in 2024 occurred before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., “marking a significant operations preference," Riddle says. And while it wasn’t as dramatic a trend, 30% of ransomware encryptions during that same period were started over the weekend. 'It's Already Too Late'It's unsurprising that attackers target enterprises at their most vulnerable, but two key factors play into this ransomware plight: burnout and skeleton crews. Organizations already contend with a lack of security resources and staffing shortages daily, but holidays and weekends compound the issues, says Adam Strange, principal analyst for Omdia. “IT staffing is not cut necessarily, but it would be spread more thinly as those staff that are left attempt to cover for colleagues on leave," he explains.Related:China Researches Ways to Disrupt Satellite InternetMany employees take vacation during the holidays, and those who are working may be distracted and feel overworked, explains Truman Kain, principal product researcher at Huntress. Distracted employees could unintentionally click on malicious links or fall for increasingly realistic phishing campaigns.During the weekends, most organizations are understaffed, so attacks may go unnoticed until Monday morning. But by then it's already too late, warns Kain."If your security team is a skeleton crew on weekends and holidays, you're more likely to get hit with ransomware," Kain says. "It's not a matter of it, but when."Attackers are taking advantage of organizations that reduce staffing and encourage time off to avoid burnout,  suspects Jonathan Reiter, lead instructor for offensive operations at SANS Institute. Burnout is an ongoing concern security professionals face, particularly CISOs and SOC teams who are expected to work strenuous hours and address a myriad of issues. Most organizations keep minimal staff during the holidays to help extinguish burnout that could be creeping up for overworked employees, but ransomware gangs are noticing the absence and taking advantage, says Reiter.Related:Iran's 'MuddyWater' Levels Up With MuddyViper BackdoorCan Understaffed Enterprises Respond to Ransomware?Designated employee downtime is crucial to avoid burnout, but it does leave security gaps. Implementing and maintaining well-documented plans – from IR and crisis management to business continuity – can offset the challenges."During holidays, when staff may rotate in and out, every team member needs to know where that documentation lives, what the escalation paths are, and who to call if additional support is needed," Kerri Shafer-Page vice president of digital forensics and incident response at Arctic Wolf recommends.Despite limited staffing, organizations with clear processes, strong documentation, and artificial intelligence helping automate the noisy work can respond quickly when attackers try to exploit off-hours gaps, adds Shafer-Page.Reiter recommends one action item for enterprises: Implement network segregation to separate the more critical components from the network where users work. It also wouldn't hurt to hold tabletop exercises a few times a year to test scenarios like a massive attack over Christmas break and see how an enterprise's plans hold up to those threats, adds Reiter."You definitely do not need a full staff over the holidays, but you should have a dedicated team that can operate on an on-call rotation in case an emergency does happen," Reiter tells Dark Reading. "Those teams that might have to get called in should get a nice, fat bonus for being pulled away from quality family time."Consider Year-Long Implications It's just as important to implement strong defenses to protect against ransomware daily, no matter if SOC teams are skeleton crews or fully staffed. Strange emphasizes organizations must always maintain a base level of security coverage, regardless of whether it's a holiday, weekend, or after office hours. Preventing or mitigating from an attack is not restricted to normal hours, as evidenced by the influx of attacks over the past year. If enterprises have security gaps because of staffing issues during non-working hours, then they may need to rethink their strategies. Ineffective security postures may require new technology like automation, sub-contracting, cost-effective outsourcing, or adjustment of leave policy over the holiday periods."Any additional resources on top of agreed minimum levels which can be brought to bear will of course help, but organizations exposing themselves due to too many security staff being away on leave needs to be avoided at all costs, or urgently rectified," Strange advises. About the AuthorArielle WaldmanFeatures Writer, Dark ReadingArielle spent the last decade working as a reporter, transitioning from human interest stories to covering all things cybersecurity related in 2020. Now, as a features writer for Dark Reading, she delves into the security problems enterprises face daily, hoping to provide context and actionable steps. She previously lived in Florida where she wrote for the Tampa Bay Times before returning to Boston where her cybersecurity career took off at SearchSecurity. When she's not writing about cybersecurity, she pursues personal projects that include a mystery novel and poetry collection.   See more from Arielle WaldmanMore InsightsIndustry ReportsThe Cloud is No Longer EnoughForrester Wave: for Network Analysis and Visibility Solutions, Q4 2025Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Detection and Response, 20252025 State of Threat Intelligence: What it means for your cybersecurity strategyGartner Innovation Insight: AI SOC AgentsAccess More ResearchWebinarsNavigating the AI Race: The Current State of AI Compliance and Supply Chain SecurityIdentity Security in the Agentic AI EraHow AI & Autonomous Patching Eliminate Exposure RisksSecuring the Hybrid Workforce: Challenges and SolutionsCybersecurity Outlook 2026More WebinarsYou May Also LikeEdge PicksApplication SecurityAI Agents in Browsers Light on Cybersecurity, Bypass ControlsAI Agents in Browsers Light on Cybersecurity, Bypass ControlsLatest Articles in The EdgeHow Malware Authors Are Incorporating LLMs to Evade DetectionNov 26, 2025|4 Min ReadHack the Hackers: 6 Laws for Staying Ahead of the AttackersNov 21, 2025|2 Min ReadWith AI Reshaping Entry-Level Cyber, What Happens to the Security Talent Pipeline?Nov 21, 2025|5 Min ReadSecuring the Win: What Cybersecurity Can Learn From the PaddockNov 20, 2025|5 Min ReadRead More The EdgeDiscover MoreBlack HatOmdiaWorking With UsAbout UsAdvertiseReprintsJoin UsNewsletter Sign-UpFollow UsCopyright © 2025 TechTarget, Inc. d/b/a Informa TechTarget. 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The cybersecurity landscape is increasingly vulnerable to ransomware attacks, particularly during off-hours when security teams are stretched thin. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Ransomware Holiday Bind,” highlights a critical challenge for enterprises: how to respond effectively when staffing is reduced and response times can lag. As highlighted by Arielle Waldman in Dark Reading, a significant portion – 52% – of ransomware attacks occur on weekends or holidays, coinciding with Security Operations Center (SOC) staffing challenges. This isn’t simply a matter of bad luck; it’s a strategic exploitation by threat actors who recognize and capitalize on organizational vulnerabilities.

A key driver of this vulnerability is burnout. Organizations routinely encourage employees to take time off, especially during the holidays, effectively creating a "skeleton crew" during peak attack windows. This reduction in staffing directly correlates with increased vulnerability, as fewer eyes are monitoring systems and responding to potential threats. The 78% of respondents who cut SOC teams by 50% or more underscores the severity of this problem. Furthermore, six percent admitted to not staffing their SOC at all outside the regular workweek, demonstrating a deliberate decision to leave themselves exposed.

Several factors contribute to this dynamic. The rise of ransomware gangs operating as legitimate businesses, complete with customer service and help desk personnel, reinforces the need for a more comprehensive approach to threat response. These groups coordinate their attacks, often targeting organizations during periods of reduced security coverage. The timing of attacks frequently aligns with employee time off, maximizing the potential for success.

The problem isn't new, as documented by Cybereason in 2022, organizations have consistently struggled to prepare for ransomware attacks during holidays or weekends. The delayed response times and increased financial losses associated with this vulnerability are not simply “an it,” but rather a consistent and critical concern. Over 88% of cybersecurity professionals polled missed holiday and weekend celebrations due to ransomware attacks, a stark reminder of the personal impact of these threats.

Beyond just staffing, distracted employees pose another risk. Reduced staffing can lead to employees taking vacation during the holidays, and those who are working may be overworked and less attentive. This can translate to unintentional clicks on malicious links or falling victim to increasingly sophisticated phishing campaigns.

Addressing the Ransomware Holiday Bind requires a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, organizations must recognize and actively mitigate the risk of burnout among their security teams. Secondly, clear and well documented plans, including Incident Response and Business Continuity protocols, are crucial to provide ready-to-use instructions during a time of reduced staffing. Kerri Shafer-Page of Arctic Wolf recommends ensuring that every team member understands the documentation and escalation paths. Adam Strange of Omdia emphasized the need to avoid simply cutting staffing levels, instead opting for a more thinly spread approach that avoids creating vulnerabilities.

While full staffing isn’t always feasible, organizations can implement network segmentation to isolate critical components from the network where users work. Holding tabletop exercises a few times a year to test scenarios like a massive attack over Christmas break can also be incredibly beneficial. It’s important to note that robust defenses aren't limited to normal operational hours – the influx of attacks over the past year has demonstrated this vividly.

Ultimately, preventing or mitigating ransomware attacks requires a consistent focus on security posture, regardless of staffing levels. As Arielle Waldman suggests, recognizing and rectifying security gaps caused by reduced staffing during off-hours is paramount. Jonathan Reiter from SANS Institute warns that if an organization operates with a skeleton crew on weekends and holidays, that they’re more likely to get hit. This isn't about simply avoiding being targeted, but about recognizing the vulnerability created by this particular timing and proactively addressing it.

Several organizations like Huntress and Arctic Wolf emphasize maintaining minimum security coverage and implementing robust documentation, artificial intelligence and automation to address the noisy workloads of security teams. To avoid the "Ransomware Holiday Bind," organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, holding tabletop exercises, and developing robust plans—even when their teams are operating at reduced capacity. As suggested by Adam Strange, it's crucial not to simply cut staffing levels when doing so exposes the organization to new vulnerabilities. Instead, organizations should aim to maintain a consistent level of defense, regardless of the time of day or whether staff is fully staffed. It is important to prioritize employee wellbeing and implement an on-call rotation that can handle emergencies.